Android App Inventor dropped by Google

Google is to ditch its Android App Inventor platform, a wysiwyg tool formerly used to create apps by those without any coding skills. The move marks the latest instance in Google’s wider plan to streamline its operations having already closed Google Labs, the self-styled “crazy ideas” department.

In contrast to projects like Google Health and Google PowerMeter, which have also been consigned to an early grave, plans are afoot for App Inventor to be passed onto the open source community following its extradition from the Google family.

Explaining the move in a blog post, App Inventor’s Program Manager wrote, “Because of App Inventor’s success in the education space, we are exploring opportunities to support the educational use of App Inventor on an open source platform.

“As a result of these changes App Inventor will be available through the end of the year but users should expect the current App Inventor URL, to change sometime in the next 90 days. Please subscribe to the App Inventor Announcement forum for future updates.”

Google aficionados are not happy with the move however, with many writing distressed responses to the announcement. Rishi summed up the spirit of many when he commented, “Please do not close this. As an avid Google user and supporter for many years, I am giving voice to my vote that you keep this. Its educational value is unbelievable. I have recommended it to so many curious teens and techies that this will severely impact their perception of Google.”

For how the closure of App Inventor effects the Android Market and whether it thrives in the open source community, stay tuned to Life Of Android.